Chomsky Argument on the Role of Media in Political Propaganda - Essay Example

Chomsky Argument on the Role of Media in Political Propaganda 1. Introduction Chomsky has a philosophical insight on what people believe is democracy. The American government and other regions are known for propaganda that tend to divert the attention of the residents to believe in what argument they believe. In his book ‘Media Control: spectacular Achievement of Propaganda,’ (Chomsky 2011, Title Page), he lays an argument that governments concentrate on subtle manipulation of the media to control the people. The insightful thoughts laid out in the book explains the justification of such a claim and highlights the role of media in achievement of the intended consent in the propaganda. According to Chomsky, these propaganda are intended to convince the intellect people who embrace it and pass it to the rest of the public. Chomsky argues that the media has played a role in depriving the general public off their views and perception through propaganda. He basis his arguments on the American cases where media has aired the political propaganda that attract the consent of the public. In addition, he highlights instances where government has gained favor in the media industry to pass their intended motions and objectives. To elaborate on that, he lays the argument that the perception created by the media about the government permeates to the entire social realism. Therefore, his arguments tend to prove that media has a moral obligation to the Americans. I will discuss the fundamental claims that are laid down in support of his argument with justification. 2. Chomsky Justification of the Claims on Role Media Plays in Political Propaganda Chomsky introduces his arguments on the definition of the two forms of democracy that exist. One of them argues that the people are in full control in running their affairs while, on the second definition, they are manipulated and made to believe media and government through propaganda. Chomsky intention was to seek an insightful approach on the role of media in contemporary politics that cause him to explore the world and society we ought to live and of democracy the society ought to practice. In this section, he tries to explain how media and the government have applied the manipulation form of democracy to control the people. In his alternative concept of democracy, he highlights two things. First, the public is prevented from carrying out their role in managing their own affairs. Most political leaders ensure that the public has no place in the management of their affairs. In support of this claim, he identified the events that happened during the reign of Woodrow Wilson Administration. The public initially believed that there was no reason for engaging in war that was taking place in the Germany. However, through propaganda titled Creel Commission succeeded within a period of six months changing the mind of the same public who heard earlier opposed the need for war and supported it immensely decrying that they would humiliate Germany through war. Secondly, the claim is drawn from the observations he made in the analysis of Lippmann argument in his theory on progressive democracy. He demonstrates that there is a minority social class in modern democracies who make decisions for the majority. Chomsky explains that the majority are forced to appoint representatives who make decisions on their behalf in what is known as an election. Afterwards, they are turned to spectators who sit and wait for the decisions made by their representative. In order to manufacture the consent on the views of the specialized social class, the media, schools and relevant culture has to be divided to ensure they are able to instil what they refer to as ‘sense of reality.’ The compelling moral obligation in Chomsky argument is that there is moral justification that involving the public to manage their affairs would cause trouble. Secondly, means of information are kept rigid and controlled effectively from public access. Chomsky argues that the American Public Relations leadership control the minds of people. Considering what happened in 1930s, there was a great revolution by the bewildered herd as Lippmann called them (public). A group made up of the majority was organized and winning over the legislative process and that is how it is supposed to be. However, through the public relations offices, the labor unions effects were reduced by the public relations subtle propaganda that labelled strikes as destructive, uncivilized and against the will of the people. There is a great connection between the media and business community. They air their programs and advertisements. That shows that media is dependent on the business community. For the public to consent to the will of the few in power, there are compelled to do so through media propaganda. He believes that when one has control over media and schools, that person or authority can manipulate the mass through propaganda. This is achieved through attitude of beliefs and watching media programs. Chomsky has reviewed that the process of attaining actual democracy is slow. However, he argues that even though slow it may be, results are turning positive. He argues that it was until the masses got the reality about the Vietnamese bombing, that many got insight of the reality. In his argument about the Hitler’s actions, he formed propaganda that ensured that the Germany were fighting the Jews since fear had been propagated to them that if they could not defend themselves, the Jews would have come after them. Here Chomsky explains on the effects of propaganda and how effectively transmitting them to the public may create a belief. 3. The Presupposition of Chomsky Arguments I agree with the claim by Chomsky that there are two alternative forms of democracy in the governments. There is the form of democracy that allows the citizens to make decisions regarding their welfare. However, the second form of democracy is controversial. It relies mainly on propaganda that is passed through the media with a general view of biased media. Though there is truth in his arguments, it relies on the assumption will always be supportive to the government in passing the propaganda. However, there is an all dimensional approach that the propaganda has been widely in America and also in other regions. Media plays the greatest role in passing the propaganda to rest of the community members. Currently, governments still continue to work with the media in pursuing their intended roles. Through the ministry related to information and communication, the government sets outcome measures to ensure they are in control of the information media should pass to the citizens hiding in the blanket of promoting Americanism. Analyzing the Lippmann approach on the role the media plays and the mechanisms of propaganda to gain consent for the objective of a higher social class, Chomsky has the same approach with Lippmann. I strongly agree on the case of democratic countries where the bewildered herd that signifies the citizens who are led, are made to believe whatever their democratically elected leaders have to offer. Through the influence of the higher social class composed of decision makers, they are left with no decision rather than just believing in what they are told. They are caused to sing slogans just to ensure what their representatives want has received consent as they wished. I agree with him that they cannot be allowed to make decisions in full. However, these groups are the major beneficiaries of these government decisions, I disagree with him on that they should not be allowed to question the authorities. Failing to identify the citizens’ views on what concern them is bleach to their rightful duty. As part of stakeholders in the country, their contribution to the development should be accounted for. Such approach by the leaders is evil that may predispose them to passing regulations that harm them at the countryside. Stakeholder’s consultations on values, projects, proposals and other communities based programs is essential in running the country. The law of generalization should not be applied in this case. In the people of those referred to as wildered herd, there are individuals who can make insightful recommendations to the authority hence correct the society where errors may arise. Conclusion After review of the justifications made by Chomsky in his book, the government has used media as an avenue for passing their propaganda. The insights drawn from a variety of cases sums up to the conclusion that what many view as democracy has a hidden meaning of manipulation and is propaganda based. However, there is an assumption that the media is biased and influenced by the powerful members of the society which might not be true in all cases. Chomsky insightful approach is fundamental if the society has to achieve its planned development agendas. In respect to this, it should be known that all citizens play a pivotal role in the general development of the country. Read More